TWI548243B - Method and network connecting device for p2p transmission - Google Patents

Description

Point-to-point transmission method and network connection device

The present invention relates to a point-to-point transmission method and network connection apparatus, and more particularly to a method and related network connection apparatus for enabling a host apparatus to have a point-to-point transmission capability.

A wide variety of electronic devices have been developed to improve people's lives. However, there are more technical issues to be resolved to provide a more convenient experience and a variety of applications. For example, in today's network environment, if a user wants to directly connect two devices, it often requires relatively complicated settings. The problem becomes more complicated when the two devices are on different secondary networks. In addition, how to improve the efficiency of network connection establishment is also an important task.

Embodiments in accordance with the present invention include a method of enabling a host device to have point-to-point transmission capabilities. First, a device identification code is provided for storage in an external device. This external device is used to connect to the host device. Moreover, a host device point-to-point program command is provided for installation on the host device for execution. In addition, a server is provided. After the host device installs the point-to-point program command, the host device notifies the server of the connection data and the unique identification code of the host device according to the point-to-point program command. This unique identifier is in a point-to-point transmission network. Used to identify this host device, and this unique identifier is associated with the device identification code described above. For example, this unique identification code uses the device identification code directly. Alternatively, the device identification code generates an corresponding unique identification code through an arithmetic function. Alternatively, the host device transmits the device identification code to the server, and the server passes the authentication of the predetermined process according to the device identification code, and returns a unique identification code.

The server then assists the peer-to-peer devices in the peer-to-peer network in a point-to-point connection with the host device. The servers mentioned here can be made up of one or more server devices, each responsible for a different task. For example, a server can be formed by one or more server devices to provide a unique identification code or to assist in a point-to-point connection.

The host device, external device and point-to-point device mentioned in this document may be various electronic devices such as a computer, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, an industrial computer, a video camera, a wired or wireless memory, a multimedia player, a set-top box, and the like. The external device mentioned here can be a simple memory card, a flash drive, a USB wireless network card, a USB wireless router, a Bluetooth headset, or various wired or wireless devices.

In short, when the external device storing the device identification code is connected to the host device via USB or other wired or wireless means, the host device obtains the unique identification code directly or indirectly to obtain an identification identity in a peer-to-peer network. Later, other peer-to-peer devices on the peer-to-peer network can connect to the host device peer-to-peer through the assistance of the server. The connection request can be initiated by the host device or by other peer-to-peer devices. Resources on the host device, such as a camera connected to the host device, a microphone, a thermometer, a sensor, a Bluetooth headset, a local hard drive, a connected network hard drive, a wirelessly connected screen, etc., after the above point-to-point connection The resources of the host device can be accessed by other peer-to-peer devices according to point-to-point program instructions installed on the host device.

Another embodiment in accordance with the present invention includes a network connection device as an external device, Received to the host device. The network connection device has a connection interface for connecting to the host device. The network connection device also has a memory, which can be various forms of memory elements, such as flash memory (RAMASH), read only memory (ROM), etc., for storing the device identification code. After the host device is connected to the network connection device, and the host device obtains the point-to-point program command from the network connection device or from the network, the host device reads the device identification code and obtains a corresponding unique identification code. The host device provides point-to-point connections to other point-to-point devices through the peer-to-peer program instructions.

In addition, the network connection device has a network connection circuit to provide a communication service conforming to a communication protocol. For example, the network connection circuit can be a Wi-Fi router to establish a Wi-Fi area network for other Wi-Fi devices to connect to the Wi-Fi area network. The network connection circuit can also be a 3G network card or a Wi-Fi network card for the host device to connect to the 3G network or the Wi-Fi area network.

1002‧‧‧providing device identification code

1004‧‧‧ Provides point-to-point program instructions

1006‧‧‧Providing a server

1008‧‧‧Peer-to-peer connection

201‧‧‧External devices

2011‧‧‧Device ID

202‧‧‧Host device

2021‧‧‧ Point-to-point program instructions

203‧‧‧First point to point device

204‧‧‧second point-to-point device

205‧‧‧Network

206‧‧‧Server

301‧‧‧ host device

302‧‧‧Network connection device

3021‧‧‧Connection interface

3022‧‧‧ memory

3023‧‧‧Network connection circuit

431‧‧‧First wireless network device

432‧‧‧Second wireless network device

44‧‧‧Wireless Local Area Network

45‧‧‧External network

51‧‧‧ computer

52‧‧‧Wi-Fi network card

53‧‧‧Webcam

54‧‧‧Mobile phones

55‧‧‧Wi-Fi Sharer

56‧‧‧Webcam

57‧‧‧Server

58‧‧‧ gateway

59‧‧‧Network address translation

591‧‧‧Internet

593‧‧‧Telecom network

61‧‧‧Operating system

63‧‧‧ Point-to-point program instructions

303‧‧‧Network

41‧‧‧Host device

411‧‧‧ Point-to-point program instructions

412‧‧‧Web interface

42‧‧‧External devices

65‧‧‧Driver

71‧‧‧Main server

72‧‧‧ point-to-point device

73‧‧‧ Point-to-point device

74‧‧‧ Point-to-point server

Figure 1 illustrates a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 illustrates an apparatus architecture in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 illustrates an embodiment of an external device and a host device.

Figure 4 illustrates an embodiment of an external device providing a regional network.

Figure 5 illustrates an actual use example.

Figure 6 illustrates an example of the implementation of a point-to-point program instruction.

Figure 7 illustrates a manner in which a peer-to-peer service is provided.

Please refer to FIG. 1 , which illustrates a method for enabling a host device to have a point-to-point. The method of transmission capability. First, a device identification code is provided (step 1002) for storage in an external device. This external device is used to connect to the host device. And, a host device point-to-point program command is provided (step 1004) to be installed and executed on the host device. Additionally, a server is provided (step 1006). After the host device installs the point-to-point program command, the host device notifies the server of the connection data and the unique identification code of the host device according to the point-to-point program command. This unique identification code is used to identify the host device in a point-to-point transmission network, and this unique identification code is associated with the device identification code described above. For example, this unique identification code uses the device identification code directly. Alternatively, the device identification code generates an corresponding unique identification code through an arithmetic function. Alternatively, the host device transmits the device identification code to the server, and the server passes the authentication of the predetermined process according to the device identification code, and returns a unique identification code.

The server then assists the peer-to-peer devices in the peer-to-peer network to make a point-to-point connection with the host device (step 1008). The servers mentioned here can be made up of one or more server devices, each responsible for a different task. For example, a server can be formed by one or more server devices to provide a unique identification code or to assist in a point-to-point connection.

The host device, external device and point-to-point device mentioned in this document may be various electronic devices such as a computer, a mobile phone, a tablet computer, an industrial computer, a video camera, a wired or wireless memory, a multimedia player, a set-top box, and the like. The external device mentioned here can be a simple memory card, a flash drive, a USB wireless network card, a USB wireless router, a Bluetooth headset, or various wired or wireless devices.

In short, when the external device storing the device identification code is connected to the host device via USB or other wired or wireless means, the host device obtains the unique identification code directly or indirectly to obtain an identification identity in a peer-to-peer network. Later, other peer-to-peer devices on the peer-to-peer network can connect to the host device peer-to-peer through the assistance of the server. The connection request can be initiated by the host device or by other peer-to-peer devices. Host device Resources, such as cameras, microphones, thermometers, sensors, Bluetooth headsets, local hard drives, connected network hard drives, wirelessly connected screens, etc. connected to the host device, through the above point-to-point connection, the host Resources on the device can be accessed by other peer-to-peer devices based on point-to-point program instructions installed on the host device.

The external device may have other circuits and functions in addition to the above device identification code. For example, a USB wireless router can have a device identification code installed therein. And after the USB wireless router is installed to the host device, it forms a wireless local area network for one or more wireless network devices to connect to the wireless local area network. For example, establish a Wi-Fi wireless local area network. Of course, such a wireless network can be other communication protocols. If the host device additionally has a network interface, the wireless network devices of the wireless local area network can be further assisted to further connect to the external network through the network interface, for example, to the Internet.

The external device can also be designed as a simple network card, such as Wi-Fi, 3G, etc., so that the host device can connect to an external device with network connection capability after connecting the external device, and can be connected to a regional network, a wide area network, and a telecommunications network. Internet and/or internet.

In addition to the device identification code, the external device can also have built-in automatic execution instructions. When the host device is connected to the external device, the automatic execution command can be automatically loaded to complete all or part of the above functions, or to instruct, drive, and prompt the host device to download the above-mentioned point-to-point program command from the network.

The point-to-point program instructions mentioned herein may be compiled execution code or other various forms of instructions that are loaded into the host device for execution. These point-to-point program instructions can define all execution logic, and can also be used in conjunction with software or hardware on the host device to define the above-mentioned point-to-point connection and transmission of unique identification codes.

Several embodiments in accordance with the present invention are explained below in conjunction with the drawings.

Figure 2 illustrates an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. The external device 201 has a device identification code 2011 for connection to a host device 202. The host device 202 installs the peer-to-peer program command 2021 through a network or other means before or after the external device 201 is connected. After the external device 201 is connected to the host device 202, the host device 202 is made to become a point-to-point device on the peer-to-peer network through the device identification code 2011. In particular, depending on the design of the peer-to-peer network, the host device 202 can directly use the device identification code 2011 as a unique identification code in a peer-to-peer network. Alternatively, the host device 202 can also obtain the unique identification code of the corresponding device identification code 2011 from the server 206 via the network 205.

When the host device 202 has the unique identification code, the host device 202 periodically or irregularly provides the server 206 with the connection data and the unique identification code of the host device. Thus, the server 206 can know how to connect to the connection related material of the host device 202 corresponding to the unique identification code. Then, other peer-to-peer devices on other peer-to-peer networks, such as the first peer-to-peer device 203 and the second peer-to-peer device 204, can establish a point-to-point connection with the host device 202 through the assistance of the server 206.

Please refer to FIG. 3, which illustrates an embodiment of an external device. The network connection device 302 is connected to the host device 301 as an external device. The network connection device 302 has a connection interface 3021 for connecting to the host device 301. The network connection device 302 has a memory 3022, which may be various forms of memory elements, such as flash memory (MEM), read only memory (ROM), etc., for storing device identification codes. After the host device 301 is connected to the network connection device 302, and the host device 301 obtains the point-to-point program command from the network connection device 302 or from the network 303, the host device 301 reads the device identification code and obtains a corresponding Unique identifier. The host device 301 provides a point-to-point connection with the host device 301 to other peer-to-peer devices through a point-to-point program command.

In addition, the network connection device 302 has a network connection circuit 3023 to provide compliance with a communication. Agreement communication service. For example, the network connection circuit 3023 can be a Wi-Fi router to establish a Wi-Fi area network for other Wi-Fi devices to connect to the Wi-Fi area network. The network connection circuit 3023 can also be a 3G network card or a Wi-Fi network card for the host device to connect to the 3G network or the Wi-Fi area network.

Please refer to FIG. 4, which illustrates an embodiment in accordance with the present invention. The host device 41 has a web interface 412 and installs a point-to-point program command 411. The external device 42 stores the device identification code 421. When the host device 41 is connected to the external device 42, the host device 41 obtains a unique identification code corresponding to the device identification code. The external device 42 has a network connection circuit that provides a wireless local area network 44 for the first wireless network device 431 and the second wireless network device 432 to connect to the wireless local area network 44. And, through the network interface 412 of the host device, the first wireless network device 431 and the second wireless network device 432 are connected to an external network 45, such as the Internet.

If the first wireless network device 431 and the second wireless network device 432 may be point-to-point devices as described above, they may not be the point-to-point devices described above. Since the external device 42 has the device identification code 421, the host device 41 becomes a point-to-point device having a unique identification code. If the first wireless network device 431 is also a peer-to-peer device having a unique identification code, the point-to-point connection process between the first wireless network device 431 and the host device 41 can be greatly simplified by the design of the point-to-point program command 411. For example, the first wireless network device 431 can connect to the Wi-Fi area network formed by the external device 42 through Wi-Fi. Thereafter, the first wireless network device 431 can in turn query whether there are other peer-to-peer devices on the same regional network. Since the host device 41 has become a point-to-point device through the connection with the external device 42, the host device 41 can transmit the unique identification code of the host device 41 to the first wireless network based on the Wi-Fi local area network according to the point-to-point program command. The unique identification code of the path device 431 allows the host device 41 to quickly make a point-to-point connection with the first wireless network device 431. In such a case, even if the host device 41 or the first wireless network device 431 cannot connect to the server of the Internet, it is possible to quickly establish a point-to-point transmission capability. Network.

For example, the host device 41 is a computer, and the external device 42 is a USB interface Wi-Fi sharer (Access Point). The device identification code stored in the external device 42 is directly a unique identification code. The first wireless network device 431 and the second wireless network device 432 are Wi-Fi enabled webcams and each have its own unique identification code. Further, the peer-to-peer program command 411 is directly pre-stored in the external device 42 and then mounted to the host device 41. The user can quickly establish a monitoring system by purchasing the external device 42, the first wireless network device 431 and the second wireless network device 432, and does not require complicated settings because the host device 41 and the first wireless network The device 431 and the second wireless network device 432 can directly authenticate through the point-to-point transmission protocol and complete the transmission of the image data.

Please refer to FIG. 5, which illustrates another embodiment in accordance with the present invention. The computer 51 serves as a host device and is connected to a Wi-Fi network card 52. The Wi-Fi network card 52 has a memory device identification code as the external device described above. The computer 51 can be connected to the Wi-Fi sharer 55 after the Wi-Fi network card 52 is connected. The computer 51 also obtains the device identification code of the Wi-Fi network card and obtains the unique identification code directly or indirectly, becoming a point-to-point device of the peer-to-peer network. The computer 51 downloads a peer-to-peer program command over a Wi-Fi network card or from the Internet.

The webcam 53, the webcam 56 and the handset 54 each have their own unique identification code, which is also a point-to-point device. The webcam 56, the webcam 53 and the handset 54 are connected to different internetwork 591 and telecommunications network 593, respectively. The computer 51 reports its connection data and unique identification code to the server 57 on the Internet 591 periodically or irregularly through its installed point-to-point program command and unique identification code. Other peer-to-peer devices also report connection data and unique identification codes to the server 57. Through the assistance of the server 57 and the point-to-point program commands within the peer-to-peer devices, the peer-to-peer devices can be peer-to-peer through various point-to-point transmission methods, such as hole punching, in different sub-networks. connection.

For example, the handset 54 is located behind the telecommunications network 593 and the Internet Service Provider (ISP) Network Address Translation (NAT) device and does not have a unique IP address. However, the mobile phone 54 periodically transmits its unique identification code and connection information, such as a port at an IP address, through a gateway 58, an Internet service provider (Internet Service). The Network Address Translation (NAT) of the Provider is transmitted to the server 57 via the Internet 591. Therefore, the computer 51 can know the connection data connected to the mobile phone 54 through the assistance of the server 57, and then perform a point-to-point connection with the mobile phone 54.

Vice versa, the mobile phone 54 can also be connected to the computer 51 through the assistance of the server 57, thereby accessing the resources of the computer 51, such as the hard disk of the computer 51, the network disk connected to the computer 51, and the camera of the computer 51 itself. And other resources.

Please refer to FIG. 6, which illustrates an embodiment in which the point-to-point program command 63 is installed to the host device. The point-to-point program command 63 is acquired from the network or an external device and becomes an application module on the host device. Such an architecture can be applied to devices such as Windows, Mac, Linux, Android, iOS, and the like. The peer-to-peer program command 63 can acquire data of resources such as a camera or a disk through a call to the driver 65. In addition, the peer-to-peer program command 63 can obtain a network connection with an external server or a peer-to-peer device through the operating system 61, and instruct the host device to perform a corresponding operation by using an instruction therein.

These operations include, but are not limited to, accessing the resources of the camera and disk, establishing UDP and TCP connections with devices on the network, performing various hole punching network connections, and regularly reporting their unique identification codes to the far end. The server with a fixed address provides an operation interface for the user to set, complete the authentication, and decide which point-to-point devices to perform various connections and operations. These operations can be designed for different applications. For details, refer to the programming guides of each operating platform and the corresponding reference files, which will not be described here.

Figure 7 illustrates a manner in which a peer-to-peer connection service is provided. The peer-to-peer device 72 and the peer-to-peer device 73 periodically report their own unique identification code and connection data to the main server 71 having a fixed IP address. When the peer-to-peer device 72 is to be connected to the point-to-point device 73, a connection request is issued to the main server 71. The main server 71 selects a suitable point-to-point server 74 from a plurality of point-to-point servers as appropriate. And the point-to-point server 74 is then assisted by the point-to-point server 74 to connect with the point-to-point device 73. This can reduce the burden on the main server 71, and can simultaneously provide more point-to-point connections for more point-to-point devices.

In addition, the above-mentioned unique identification code and device identification code can be generated by various algorithms or rules, and are composed of numbers, characters, or various combinations thereof. The above-mentioned point-to-point connection has a variety of different embodiments, for example, using various hole punching transmission techniques to overcome the network address translation (NAT) device, which cannot directly address the terminal device directly by IP. To complete a point-to-point connection. Alternatively, the point-to-point connection may also include direct or indirect connection between devices, not through IP network protocols, or through a combination of IP networks, public networks, private networks, and telecommunications networks. Point-to-point concatenation. Moreover, the point-to-point concatenation also includes that one or all of the paths are interleaved to form a point-to-point connection through a relay.

In addition, the above unique identification code may correspond to a plurality of devices. For example, more than two devices correspond to a unique identification code, and once other peer-to-peer devices send data for the unique identification code, a multicast method is adopted. On the other hand, information sent by a plurality of devices corresponding to the same unique identification code can also be regarded as being issued as the identity of the unique identification code. A device may also correspond to a plurality of unique identification codes, such as one device corresponding to a first unique identification code used only by the device, and also corresponding to a second unique identification code used by another group. When other peer-to-peer devices on the peer-to-peer network send out information for the first unique identifier or the second unique identifier, they can be passed to the device. With so many pairs With more unique identifiers, there are more possibilities for application.

While the present invention has been described above in terms of the preferred embodiments thereof, it is not intended to limit the invention, and the invention may be modified and modified without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. The patent protection scope of the invention is subject to the definition of the scope of the patent application attached to the specification.

1002‧‧‧providing device identification code

1004‧‧‧ Provides point-to-point program instructions

1006‧‧‧Providing a server

1008‧‧‧Assisting point-to-point connections

Claims (19)

A method for allowing a host device to have a point-to-point transmission capability, comprising: providing a device identification code for storage in an external device, the external device being connected to the host device; providing a point-to-point program command for installation on the host device; Providing at least one server, after the host device installs the peer-to-peer program command, the host device notifies the at least one server of the connection data and a unique identification code according to the point-to-point program command, the unique identification code After the host device is connected to the external device, the host device is generated according to the device identification code obtained from the external device, for identifying the host device in a peer-to-peer network; and through the at least one server, For at least one point device in the peer-to-peer network, the connection information of the host device is provided, and the at least one point device transmits a point-to-point connection with the host device through the connection data. The method of claim 1, wherein the host device provides the device identification code to the at least one server, and generates the unique identification code through the at least one server. The method of claim 1, wherein the host device directly uses the device identification code as the unique identification code. The method of claim 1, wherein the host device is a computer. The method of claim 1, wherein the external device is a USB device. The method of claim 5, wherein the USB device is a USB wireless router for establishing a wireless local area network, such that a wireless network device can pass through the wireless local area network, and then through the host device. A web interface is connected to an external network. The method of claim 1, wherein the external device stores an automatic execution instruction, and when the host device is connected to the external device, downloading the point-to-point program command according to the automatic execution instruction. The method of claim 1, wherein the external device is a network card, and the host device is connected to the Internet. The method of claim 1, wherein the peer-to-peer device accesses a memory connected to the host device. The method of claim 1, wherein the peer-to-peer device accesses the host device to attach one of the multimedia devices. A network connection device for connecting to a host device, comprising: a connection interface for connecting to the host device; a memory storing a device identification code, and connecting the host device through the connection interface, when After the host device installs the point-to-point program command, the host device accesses the device identification code from the memory through the connection interface, and generates a unique identification code according to the device identification code, and the unique identification code is used in a point-to-point network. After identifying the host device, after the host device generates the unique identification code, the host device transmits the unique identification code and a connection data to one of the peer-to-peer networks through the peer-to-peer network according to the point-to-point program command. The server provides a point-to-point connection between the point device and the host device according to the unique identification code provided by the host device and the connection data; A network connection circuit provides a network service conforming to a communication protocol when the host device is connected to the connection interface. The network connection device of claim 11, wherein the network service conforming to the communication protocol comprises establishing a wireless local area network, so that a wireless network device can pass through the wireless local area network, thereby One of the host devices has a web interface connected to an external network. The network connection device of claim 11, wherein the host device has a network connection capability through the network connection circuit to connect to an external network. The network connection device of claim 11, wherein the memory further stores an automatic execution instruction, and when the network connection device is connected to the host device, the host device accesses through the connection interface The automatic execution instruction is executed to transmit the device identification code to one of the peer-to-peer networks, and the point-to-point program instruction is obtained from the server. The network connection device of claim 11, wherein the unique identification code is generated by the server according to the device identification code provided by the host device, and is transmitted back to the host device. The network connection device of claim 11, wherein the device identification code is the unique identification code. The network connection device of claim 11, wherein the host device obtains the peer-to-peer program command from a network. The network connection device of claim 11, wherein the host device virtualizes a storage space of the host device into a network storage for accessing the peer-to-peer device according to the point-to-point program command. The network connection device of claim 11, wherein the host device provides a wireless device connected to the host device to the peer-to-peer device of the peer-to-peer network according to the point-to-point program command.